7 Valuable Habits From The Most Effective People In The World

Looking for proven ways to take your life to the next level? Here’s some invaluable advice from 7 incredibly successful individuals.

by Michael Benninger | Apr 21 2017

When it comes to living a more effective and meaningful life, the world’s most influential businesspeople have a wealth of wisdom to share. But in today’s crazy world, who has time to read piles of 400-page books in order to benefit from these experts’ experiences?

Thankfully, you no longer need to spend untold hours buried in a book in order to pick up practical advice you can use to improve your life. The Blinkist app makes reading easier and faster.

The Blinkist app gives you key takeaways from top nonfiction books in audio and text. Each book is handpicked by an expert editorial team and the key insights are written, edited, and recorded by dedicated team of specialists.

For a glimpse of what Blinkist can help you learn, here’s a look at 7 life-changing habits practiced by some of today’s most influential individuals.

Habit #1: Aim high

from The 4-Hour Work Week: Escape 9–5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Tim Ferriss

So-called “unrealistic” goals are often easier to achieve than you might think, says productivity hacker Tim Ferriss. As he sees it, most people don’t attempt to achieve remarkable things, meaning there’s less competition at the top.

Instead of following a fixed career path and a predictable life plan, go wild. Take risks to do what you want to do rather than what’s expected of you. By aiming high, you’ll set yourself apart from those who settle for mediocrity and ultimately live a more enjoyable life.

Habit #2: Expose your mind to positive thoughts

from Thinking Fast & Slow by Daniel Kahneman

Surround yourself with positivity. There’s a constantly raging battle in our brains between our analytical mind and our instinctive mind. Find a healthy balance between the two by exposing yourself to things that make you feel good.

Daniel Kahneman explains that our brains have evolved to react favorably to positive messages. When you’re in a good mood, the part of the mind that is alert and analytical tends to relax. This means that the more intuitive part of your mind can take over and opens the door for heightened creative thinking.

Habit #3: Appreciate everyday miracles

from Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

In Flow, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi writes that in order to live an optimal life, you should not be influenced by external rewards or the opinions of others. This is easy to say but how can you make it happen?

Attain enjoyment in life by focusing your attention on every moment, being mindful of your environment, and immersing yourself in your interests. In other words, you do you.

If you’re faced with a difficult challenge; focus on the complex problem at hand. Do not focus on your own flaws, rather put your energy into finding solutions. All roadblocks lead to personal growth and achievement.

Habit #4: Ditch to-do lists

from Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen

Gain more control of your time and find it easier to unwind by following Allen’s time-tested productivity method. Set a concrete goal, then list step-by-step actions required to accomplish it.

Focus on one action at a time, and put everything else into a virtual or physical “collection bucket,” that you clean out weekly to eliminate what’s no longer important.

Habit #5: Break rules to overcome obstacles

from Losing My Virginity: How I Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way by Richard Branson

If there’s one lesson billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson can attest to, it’s the virtues of being a rule-breaker. His independent attitude and willingness to test limits helped him blaze a trail through a number of industries including airlines, entertainment, and aeronautics.

And by leveraging his charismatic personality, Branson continues to make the most of new opportunities while embarking on outrageous adventures.

Habit #6: Don’t waste time on self-doubt

from Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg

According to Facebook Chief Operating Officer, confidence is among the most critical attributes in the workplace and at home. She recommends avoiding ‘imposter syndrome’ at all costs and leaning in to your career in an honest and authentic way.

Sandberg also advises against aiming for perfection, and instead focusing only on what’s important.

Habit #7: Make sleep a priority

from The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life One Night at a Time by Arianna Huffington

After struggling with bad sleep habits for years, media magnate Arianna Huffington learned the true value of a good night’s sleep and made it a priority to catch plenty of zzz’s each night. From giving you an edge when it comes to athletics, to having a noticeable effect on your love life, the benefits of quality sleep are innumerable.

These are just 7 of the thousands of concepts you could be discovering each day with Blinkist. With more than 2,000 titles in virtually every category of nonfiction, there’s no telling what you’ll learn. Download the Blinkist app today to join a community of over 2 million learners.

ABOUT THE WRITER

Michael Benninger

Michael is a writer, editor, and lifelong geek living in San Diego, California. He’s been writing for print and digital publications for more than a decade. When not at a keyboard, he can usually be found biking around the beach, staring at a cinema screen, or buried in a good book. Michael’s recommended read is Waking Up by Sam Harris.

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